Cushioning means for draft gears



Feb. 16, 1932. H. D. PAGE 1,845,932

CUSHIONING MEANS FOR DRAFT GEARS \u Filed June 29. 1929 /1. all; z/4 /.L a"

Harold D. Pgye.

Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT, ol-rlcs neon) 1). use, or narsw, new ou ASSIGNOR rro wanes mumm comm,

F QEICAGO, ILLINOIS, A OOBPOEATION OI cuamome mxs roa Dam ems Application filed June 20, me. Serial Io. 874,826.

This invention relates to cushioning means for draft gears for absorbing ultimate blows and preventing metal to metal contact of parts which usually proves so disastrous to the ars. e

T e invention comprises the novel structure and combinations of arts hereinafter described andmore particu arlpointed out and defined in the appended c aim.

In the accompan ing drawings which illustrate a preferre form of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the different views On the drawings:

F i re 1 is a sectional view thru a draft gear ousing showing the draft gear in elevation with parts broken away to illustrate this invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a bufling unit used in connection with this invention.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view thru the draft gear casing illustrating the boiling unit in its normal osition.

Figure 4 is a view simi ar to Figure 3, il-- lustrating the bufling unit in its compressed and "expanded position.

As shown on the drawings:

In connection with this invention, there is shown a draft gear housing 1, having two pairs of interior spaced abutments 2 between which the draft gear casing 3 is mounted. The casin 1 contains the usual friction elements which are actuated by a projecting wed member 4. The particular structure of t e friction elements and their coopersting parts is not illustrated as they form no part of this invention. Any friction elements within the casing will answer in ac. cordance with this invention which concerns itself more directly with means for cushioning the draft gear as a whole irrespective of its articular structure.

ccording to the invention, suitable cushioning or bufling elements are interposed between one end of the draft gear cash 3 and the follower block 5 which is engagef by the yoke 6 of the coupler 7. Wh1le these bufing elements may assume various forms and may be interposed in different ways, as a matter of illustration, they are shown as r Iclaimasm consisting of spaced concentric oblon strips 8, 9 and 10 of rubber or the like em dded or confined in suitable grooves in the rear end of the draft gear casing 3. The s aces between the strips are such as to allow or proper compression or expansion.

When any thrust is applied to the draft gear by the yoke of the coupler, these rubber cushioning or bufiing elements will be more or less compressed, and if the blow or shock is suflicient, they will be compressed and expanded as shown in Figure 4, but under all conditions, they .Will produce a yield or cushioning effect and eliminate any metal to metal contact, thereby preventing destruction or injury to arts that might arise under excessive or u timate blows.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide ran e without departin from the principles of t is invention, an I therefore do not purpose limit.

ing the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art. invention:

"Draft gear including a casing enclosing stress .absorbing elements and havin a series of annular grooves on its rear ace, a yoke embracing t e casing, a follower block etween the yoke and casing, and rubber rings mounte in and projecting from said grooves and enga 'ng said followerblock.

In testimony w ereof Ihave hereunto subscribed my name at Depe'w, New York, Erie County.

HAROLD D. PAGE. 

